Glo brings X-Factor to Nigeria, sets N24m star prize

The world’s acclaimed biggest singing talent reality TV show “The X Factor” which has been rocking Europe and the Americas has finally berthed in Africa, with Nigeria scoring the first, courtesy of the leading telecommunications company, Globacom, who has even gone a step further in offering a whooping N24 million as the star prize for the ultimate winner of the show.

The unveiling of the show took place at the Get Arena, Lekki, Lagos on Wednesday before a audience consisting of media executives, Glo Ambassadors, top management staff of Globacom and some members of the public who were invited to be part of the fun-filled launch which dragged on till late in the night. Highlights of the nights include musical interludes, jokes and open mic competition which got the audience dully entertained.

The ultimate winner of “ The X Factor” show is expected to smile home with princely sum of $150,000 (N24 million), purportedly the biggest purse among current reality TV shows. The winner will also win a recording contract with internationally acclaimed Sony Music for the recording of an album and professional management of the winning individual or group.

According to the company’s Head, Reality Shows, Sulyman Bello, “Glo is proud to be the catalyst that brought about this development and the attendant buzz cum excitement it will generate across the continent. Africa has been yearning for a programme of this optimum quality and we are privileged to have made it possible” enthused Bello. He added that Glo needed to do something special to signpost the special year of its 10th anniversary, hence the gift of “The X Factor” to entertain and delight its teeming subscribers across sub-Saharan Africa and the larger public.

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of our operations and this programme is, in part, our modest way of thanking our subscribers for their loyalty and patronage” he said. Commenting on the ultimate
prize of $150,000 to the winner, Bello said that this is in sync with the profile of the show. “The unprecedented top prize is a reflection of the premium status of the programme; this is in addition to the coveted Sony Music contract with the attendant post-season super star status for the winner and international stardom which is not provided by any other music talent show in the country today”, he added.

The X Factor, a Syco-owned format, is produced and distributed worldwide by FremantleMedia. Speaking about the show’s upcoming debut in Nigeria, Jamie Lynn, EVP Sales and Distribution, EMEA at FremantleMedia said “The X Factor is one of the leading entertainment shows of this generation and we are absolutely delighted to be working with Glo to bring Nigeria its own version. The blockbuster
show has enjoyed immense success all over the world and we have no doubt it will make the same impact in Nigeria as it has had around the globe”

“The X Factor” is a Reality TV singing competition to find new talents. It is contested by aspiring singers, drawn from public auditions and is open to all ages, sex, styles, solo acts or groups. A major difference between the show and others is that the judges also double as coaches for the various groups. It is peculiarly split in stages, following the contestants from auditions through to the boot camp, the judges’ homes; to the grand finale. Dancers are also featured and contestants could accompany themselves on guitar, piano or any other musical instruments.

“The X Factor” has been successfully launched in major countries including United Kingdom, the United States, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and Spain. Here in Africa, the month-long pre-auditions, which are the first stage, will kick off in Abuja on April 13th and later hold in Port Harcourt and Lagos. It will also run in Accra and Kumasi in Ghana.